Just To See You Smile [Tifa]

[Zack Fair]

What?

How?

When?

Zack opened his mako blue eyes, blinking rapidly, before narrowing them against the glare of the sun. "What the..." Finally raising his arm up to shield his face, the tall raven haired man grunted and shifted to stand up. How…he’d been dead. No, not dead. A cie’th. Yeah, that was right. He’d held Tifa in his arms, kissed her, and then…then he’d been turned into a cie’th. How was he alive right now? He had no idea, to be honest, he thought that he was still a monster, but somehow was dreaming. Lifting his gaze then, he noticed where he was.

Taking a few stumbling steps forward, Zack could see the ruins of Midgar in the distance. Shaking his head, he shuffled back, before tripping over a rock. Pitching backwards, he fell over, catching himself with one arm and tucking in his shoulder. Rolling his body, Zack lay there, shocked and stunned. Finally though, he moved. Sitting up again, he kicked the rock out of the way, before getting to his feet once more. Could…this be real? He had thought one time cheating death would have been enough. After all, how often did people come back to life once, let alone twice?

Raising his hand, Zack cocked it back and slapped himself. “Ow!” Shaking his head, Zack muttered a bit more, until then he put his hands on his hips. He had no idea what to do. Except…Tifa. He could remember confessing his feelings. She hadn’t seemed all that opposed to the idea. And-…her focus. “Damn it!” Turning on his heel, Zack started running. He had to find her! How much time had passed since he’d ‘died’? He needed to know! He needed to know if she’d become a crystal or a monster. He had never wanted that for her. No, he’d wanted her to be happy, not…not that. Sprinting, Zack slipped and skidded down the incline and headed for the ruble of the once proud city of Midgar. Edge was on the other side.

He had to get to Seventh Heaven.

Finally reaching the bar, Zack put his shoulder into the door, flinging it open and stumbling into the building. “Tifa!!” Panting, he put his hands on his knees, gasping in a few ragged breathes, before his eyes turned up, scanning the bar for the familiar face. The face he had gotten used to just looking at, the face he had come to look forward to seeing. Zack didn’t know how long had passed, but the fact that the bar was still here was a good sign! Right?! Running over, Zack jumped across the counter, landing on his feet and peering around again. “Tifa!” Muttering, Zack took off up the stairs, wondering if she could be up there. And if not, he could find Cloud or those kids and ask them if they knew where she was.

Running toward her room, Zack nearly skidded past it, catching himself and peering inside. “Tifa?” The hopeful look on his face died a second later. “Are you looking for Tifa?” Whirling around, Zack’s eyes met the smaller girl standing there, holding a moogle doll. “Yeah…you know where she is?” The girls eyes became sad then, and she looked down. He could barely understand her when she spoke finally. “Yes…well…not really. From what I heard, the Turk lady told Marlene and Denzel that she couldn’t persuade her to do her focus. I guess that means something bad. I…haven’t seen her since.” Zack nodded then, shaken. Tifa was a cie’th. That’s what it would mean. “Thanks…” Striding past the younger girl, Zack stumbled down the stairs.

Sinking into one of the chairs, Zack leaned over his legs, running his hands through his hair, he finally settled them there, slightly pulling at his spiky black hair, eyes closed. From the outside he looked like he was in pain. How was it, that he could get a second chance, and now, when he had finally found someone he’d like to share life with, they were taken? Shaking slightly, Zack didn’t hear the young girl leave, but just sat there for hours, motionless. He didn’t know what to do, where to go. Turk lady…he had to go find who this Turk lady was. He needed...to find her. Even if she was a cie’th. “Damn it!” His fist raised to slam down onto the little desk beside him. “Why didn’t you-…” Choking up slightly, Zack returned to his position, bending over his knees, wondering what he was supposed to do now. She should have completed her focus…damn it.

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Words:; 976
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Tifa, Elly cameo!
Location:; Seventh Heaven - Fetal positi-...>>
Outfit:; Click!
Notes:; :333
Listening to:; Dixie Chicks

[Tifa Lockhart]

‘Dilly dally shilly shally…’

‘You’re just going to lay down and die, is that it?’

‘….dilly dally shilly shally…’

Red eyes fluttered open to see grass and dirt right in her vision. Tifa had last remembered departing from the chestnut haired Turk to get away from the small rebuilt village of Nibelheim. She’d used her old skills of being a tour guide of these mountains to get herself back up towards the old reactor where she’d fallen and taken the form of a cie’th, with no recollection of her time as that monster. She closed her eyes and moved her hand around, feeling the ground beneath her before she sat up and looked at her hands, turning them over and not seeing a brand anywhere. She was…how did this…had she escaped death? Was this finally freedom? With a look of pure disbelief, she let out a gasp followed by a wide grin forming on her face as she patted the ground, tapping her fingers against the dirt as she gazed down at her boots. She was alive…this couldn’t be a dream, the air felt too real, the smell of nature was too strong to be a dream, and she leaped up to her feet, stumbling back a but after having not be on them for so long, staring down the trail that led back into town, she dusted off her backside and ran, making sure she didn’t catch her heal in a hole and fall the entire way down. Even if she did, those injuries would heal…she was alive, and she needed to get home.

Wait, she was alive…did that mean Zack- ‘No, don’t get your hopes up.’ She told herself mentally as she had raced into town, finding the quickest transportation to Edge as possible. Thankfully a traveling merchant was heading that way and offered to give the young bartender a ride. So sitting in the cab of the truck, Tifa continuously had to tell herself that miracles did happen, but she couldn’t be sure if Zack was alive, all she wanted to go was race home, give the kids hugs and kisses and just…maybe sob a little bit. She hoped deep down that Zack was alive, waiting for her somewhere, but she knew the odds of that were not high. Maybe escaping death once was possible, she had now experienced this herself, but twice? Not many people got those kinds of blessings.

~~~~ Hours later (lots later), Edge Outskirts ~~~~

The truck pulled to a stop and Tifa hopped out, thanking the driver and giving him a wave before the truck sped off, leaving a cloud of dust behind. Tifa waved her hand around, moving the dust away from her lips as she blinked and gazed around. This was home, it may not have been much, but it was something. There were so many things she wanted to do. She wanted to see the kids, see Cloud and all their friends, she needed to call Cissnei and just babble away about anything, but to assure the Turk that she was alive. There was just…so much Tifa wanted to do. She was seeing things in a brighter light than before. You really don’t know what you got until it’s gone. The first place she thought to search was the weapons shop. She wondered if anyone was there, Rick, Kunsel….Zack? ‘Stop it.’ She chided herself once more as she raced off, running like a mad woman to the inner city to find the weapons shop, to find someone she knew…and to keep her hopes alive.

Bursting through the doors of the weapons shop, Tifa looked around. It was really making progress, but not quite ready for opening, she frowned when she didn’t see anyone and all she was surrounded by was silence. Moving a hand over her heart, she blinked and gazed at the ground before hearing footsteps. Gasping and with a wide smile, she peered up as she saw….Rick. The blonde kid whom she’d given the buster sword to after Zack had accepted his fate as a cie’th. Her smile faded some but the look on the kid’s face was priceless. "Tifa! Yer….alive?! But…it’s great t’ see ya! I’ve missed yer cookin’.” Of course that’s all he had to say, he wasn’t the best one with words, but Tifa took it as an ‘I REALLY MISSED YOU, THANK YOU FOR BEING ALIVE’, she smiled as he walked over and she simply ruffled his hair before clasping her hands together. “Rick…have you seen….Zack?” The look on the kid’s face told her everything, he’d frowned and looked down at the ground before looking at the wall where the buster sword leaned. “Not since the day he left…” he mumbled and Tifa felt horrible all over again. “I’m sorry, I just thought….you know what, why don’t you come over later, I’ll make you something to eat and you can hang out with the kids hm?” Rick smiled and nodded, saying he would come over later once he got some work done at the market place. Leaving Tifa with nothing to do but walk home with crushed hopes.

What was a home if it didn’t have those you loved around? Sure she had Cloud, her best friend ever, and the kids…but…she remembered Zack talking to her before he turned Cie’th, he’d fallen for her, and she had to admit to herself that she had the same feelings for him. Rubbing her arm absentmindedly as she walked to Seventh Heaven, she was slow with her steps. She assumed the bar would be closed so she wouldn’t have to worry about the blonde girl, Terra who she had hired or any patrons inside. As she pressed her back against the door and walked in, staring at her hands as she fiddled with the belt around her waist, she’d walked in just to hear something hit something else. Like a fist to a table or something rather similar. Her eyes gazed upwards to see Zack sitting in a chair, not looking very bright and cheerful like normal, but rather saddened and distressed. Tifa wasn’t quite sure what to think at this moment. A few seconds ago, all her hopes had been crushed. Was this just a figment of her imagination? She sure hoped not, because at that moment on a random impulse, she ran forward, her eyes filling with water already as she leaped and didn’t really think this action through, but in a matter of seconds, she had practically tackled the SOLDIER to the ground, chair and all. Her arms were wrapped around his neck as she blubbered happy tears into his shoulder, realizing that she hadn’t hit a wall and had actually thrown herself at ZACK in person….those hopes and dreams instantly came back to her. “Y-you’re a-alive…” she blubbered between breaths, still clinging to him tightly, not wanting to let go.

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Words:[/color] 1304
Muse:[/color] FANTASTICO!
Tagged:[/color] Zack <3
Wearing:[/color] >>Click<<
Listening To:[/color] Not really paying attention
Notes:[/color] <33333333

[Zack Fair]

Zack felt a pain deep within himself. Just…why. Why hadn’t she completed her focus? It must have been bad enough that she didn’t want to complete it. But…she just…she should have been a crystal. Could he live with himself now? Could he live without her? Sure, he hadn’t felt that way about her for long, or, rather, hadn’t known he had. But now, he didn’t want her to be a cie’th. Sitting there, in the chair, Zack rested his head low, looking almost in pain. And he was. Perhaps not physical pain, but the pain was there nonetheless. Aching, gnawing. He’d caused her to become a l’cie. He had a second chance now, so why couldn’t she? When he had been revived himself, he’d thought that perhaps she could have as well. Running the entire way here had been practically nothing, as he’d thought at the end, he would get to wrap her up in his arms.

And what greeted him was nothing but emptiness.

Resting there, he thought about her. So stubborn, and tough. Of course she wouldn’t just complete her focus and get eternal rest. No, she had to resist and get turned into a cie’th. Could he blame her though? Hadn’t he done the exact same thing? He hadn’t wanted to hurt people. Though she’d never actually told him what her focus was, he could determine that it hadn’t been a good one. So that would mean, in all her caring nature, that she would absolutely refuse to allow anyone to get hurt because of her. It was a quality that he loved about her, but at the same time, it frustrated him. Sure, he was a hero, he couldn’t harm people, but…but…damn it! She shouldn’t have resisted. She should have become a crystal. At least then, he would know she wasn’t suffering.

Remaining motionless there, his thoughts turned toward his friends. Kunsel and Rick, Cloud and the rest. He should find them. They…he needed to find someone. He couldn’t remain here forever, lost in the memory. He would eventually have to go, return back to his life. Could he? He’d have to. The people you lost along the way…he could never forget them. Tifa, with her shy smiles, and caring nature, her gentle touch, but the stubborn streak. A small smile, pained, lifted onto his lips. If only he could hug her one more time, apologize for dragging her into this mess that she shouldn’t have ever had to deal with. Hands clasped into fists, as if wishing she were in his grasp. Just once more.

Before his brain could think anymore, something tackled him, chair and all. As he fell, Zack’s brain, on instinct, made him tighten his arms around the object that had tackled him. Grunting, Zack blinked rapidly, before looking up. What he saw made him freeze. An angel. Dark hair, dark eyes, eyes that were crying. He didn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe it. How could she be alive right now? Was he just conjuring her up? Had his distress brought her image floating into his head? Why was she crying? Staring up at her, that dazed look still on his face, he tried to determine if this was dreams or reality.

“Y-you’re a-alive…”

The tears. No dream of Tifa in his mind would have tears. He didn’t want her to be sad. It finally clicked in his brain then. With her sobbing into his shoulder, Zack, still in a daze, wrapped his arms around her waist more securely, before sitting up and adjusting her in his lap. Stroking her hair, Zack buried his face in her neck as well, feeling overwhelmed just by her presence. Holding her to him, he tried to find the words to express what he was feeling. “I thought…I’d lost you.” Tightly holding her against his chest, Zack closed his eyes, overcome by her being there by him. “I’m so sorry. I’m just…I’m so sorry.” Muttering that out against her neck, he took in a deep breath, before letting it out in a bit of a shudder. “You had to be alone. I wanted to be there for you. Forgive me. I love you.”

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Words:; 896
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Tifa <3
Location:; Seventh Heaven
Outfit:; Click!
Notes:; 8DDDD
Listening to:; Evans blue - Eclipsed

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa wasn’t sure if she believed in second chances for everyone, but at this rate, those beliefs were starting to grow on her. Zack had come back to life once, and here she was walking as a human being and not a shambling cie’th, no longer was she a monster…why was that? Had someone out there spared her life and decided to give her that second chance? If people were only given that second chance though…did that mean Zack had sort of ran out of lives? It was a depressing thought and after having left the weapons shop, Tifa wasn’t sure anything was going to be as cheerful anymore. Zack had a way of brightening her mood anytime he came around, even when she felt horrible, a smile could always be brought to her face…how was she to face this new life if he wasn’t around? She’d have her friends, she loved them dearly, but it just wasn’t the same. So yeah, she had to admit to herself that she had actually fallen for the SOLDIER. Though she’d never actually admitted it out loud, but in her heart she knew it was true.

Staring into the bar, Tifa had her gaze on Zack for only a fraction of a second before she ran. She wasn’t sprinting since the distance was so short, but she sure did leap and wrap her arms around him. He didn’t look up from what she saw through her blurred vision as she then took both him and the chair down with her. Clinging to him, as if she were to let go he’d disappear, but she knew that wouldn’t happen, this was reality, she hoped it didn’t. Otherwise she was getting worked up for nothing. When he sat up and adjusted her in his lap, Tifa just continued to keep her arms around Zack, refusing to let go right now, especially since she was having a rather girly moment and letting her happy tears get the best of her. So much for being the type to lock those emotions away, she just couldn’t hold them in or she would probably explode.

The apologies could wait, Tifa didn’t want any of that. She just wanted to enjoy the moment and let it all sink in. She was alive, Zack was a live, she was brand-less and assumed he would be as well. Could they finally live without the fear of a focus lingering on their shoulders? She sure hoped so, she was really going to appreciate life more, knowing that any day could be your last. First thing was first though, she wanted to sit here and cuddle against Zack for a few more minutes. “Don’t apologize, please.” She said in a muffled voice as she continued to lean against him. “I wasn’t alone, I don’t want to worry about any of that. The past is something that can’t be changed. Just be happy.” She said as a smile came to her face, she leaned back away from Zack so she could see his face. She wanted to be happy, she wanted him to be happy as well, and now they could be! There really was a light at the end of the tunnel, and Tifa was going to take advantage of it now, that was for sure.

Placing her hands on Zack’s shoulders, she tilted her head a bit, her tears had tried and she placed a smile on her face, and for the first time in a long time, it hadn’t been forced. She couldn’t help smiling even if she wanted to frown…there was no way she could even fake a frown. Those three words, the ones that people threw around every now and then for no reason, Tifa knew they meant something here. She’d wrapped mind around them since the day Zack left, she never thought she’d be one to hear them so soon, but…they’d been through a lot together, it was kind of inevitable wasn’t it? The bright smile her face widened. “I love you too, Zack.” She said with a small nod before remembering something she had told him before he turned into a cie’th, and it applied here as well. ”So don’t apologize, just smile…I love it when you smile, makes everything better.” Those were the exact words she had said once before, and she meant them now just as she had back then.

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Words:[/color] 858
Muse:[/color] Great!
Tagged:[/color] Zack
Wearing:[/color] >>Click!<<
Listening To:[/color] Lots of Ryan Cabrera
Notes:[/color] :3

[Zack Fair]

“I wasn’t alone, I don’t want to worry about any of that. The past is something that can’t be changed. Just be happy.”

Hugging her tighter against him, Zack sighed heavily, his face still in her neck. Some part of him still couldn’t determine if this was reality or fantasy, or if he was just making it all up in his head. Was he even alive? Was any of this happening? Well if it was a dream, if it was something he had just made up, then Zack wasn’t going to waste the time he had. Stroking her hair and back gently, he stayed where he was sitting, not willing to let her go. He didn’t know how long he could keep her here with him, especially if this was all in his head. He wasn’t letting her go, not yet. But could this be reality? She felt real, sounded real. Was she real? Was this all real? It had to be. And she had said that she wasn’t alone, hadn’t been alone.

But he had left her.

And he wanted her forgiveness for going off and leaving her. But those last words. ‘Just be happy.’ Why would she ask only for that? How could she not want more? Her leaning back made him tighten his hold around her waist, not wanting her to leave his side, but when she stopped with only drawing back, his grip loosened and he looked at her dark eyes. For a moment he did nothing but watch her, unsure of what exactly he should do or say. She wanted him to be happy, and he was. He really was. How could he not be? But he also felt this guilt. Then again, guilt was Cloud’s thing. Obviously she didn’t want him to feel guilty, so why should he? He did, but that didn’t mean he had to go emo over it. No, time to stop looking at the past, and look to the future.

The hands on his shoulders made a sigh rumble through his chest. The look she was giving him was one that he wanted to remember for a long time. The last time he had been brought to life, he hadn’t had anything really. He’d had…well, a second chance. No girl to find, no real purpose in life, nothing. But now, he’d had something to want, something to miss, something to find. She’d given him hope before, that she could perhaps some day view him in that light, but he hadn’t really wanted to give himself false hopes. Now though, with her sitting so comfortably on his lap, looking so happy to see him, Zack had no doubts that he’d ‘gotten the girl’, as it were. That couldn’t have made him happier.

“I love you too, Zack.”

Such big words. Zack hadn’t known where they’d come from really. In his younger years, he had taken those three words very lightly. Perhaps it was because he didn’t know what they really meant. Love was more then physical attraction. It was deeper, but it had taken him all of the twenty three years he’d been alive to really comprehend that. The repeated words made a grin appear on his face. When had he fallen for her? That moment with the fireworks? Or had it been later? Reaching his gloved hand up, he placed it on her cheek, stroking her cheek with his thumb. It didn’t matter. The past didn’t matter. The future. That’s what mattered. From here, it looked bright and cheerful.

”So don’t apologize, just smile…I love it when you smile, makes everything better.”

Matching the big smile on her face, Zack studied her face again, still brushing his finger against her skin lightly. “If I have to smile, then so do you. But, don’t…ever follow me in the dead of night again. That doesn’t end well for us generally.” Winking, Zack shifted her slightly, before wrapping his arms around her and standing up, walking to the couch to the side and sitting again, keeping her on his lap, unwilling to give her up quite yet. “You mentioned you weren’t alone. What…who did you have?” As much as he wished it could have been him, he understood that he couldn’t, and that it was just to be appreciated that someone had been there for her. Whoever it was needed to have his thanks.

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Words:; 922
Muse:; Great <3
Tagged:; Tifa :3
Location:; Seventh Heaven
Outfit:; That one!
Notes:;
Listening to:; Trapped - Dead by April

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa’s main goal in life was to be happy, for those around her to be happy, and she’d do anything to keep them that way. Smiling and happy as can be…if they were well off, then so was she. Besides, who wouldn’t be happy here, sitting in the arms of a tough SOLDIER? Being alive was something to be happy for, but this just made the pot even sweeter. She’d never thought of getting a second chance before, it’d never crossed her mind and she was kind of glad it didn’t. Sometimes the unexpected things in life were the greatest, well that, and she didn’t want to get her hopes too high before she went off and turned into a monster, maybe never to return again…that false hope would’ve brought her and anyone else she knew down. The more unexpected things got, the happier she seemed to get, at least that was how things were working today. She’d thought Zack was long gone, never to return again, especially after speaking with Rick. She’d given up hope from there, but seeing him in the bar nearly gave her a heart attack…as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest or something like that. She didn’t regret the feeling though…it was a good feeling, she was happy. Truly happy.

With quite a large smile on her face, Tifa had pulled back and told Zack to smile, it’s all she ever wanted to see from him. Not only did he have a nice smile, but it assured her about his mood. Whether or not he was happy, she could always tell by his facial expressions, he was getting easier to read with each passing day. Feeling a small laugh escape her lips, Tifa nodded in agreement, if he had to smile, then so did she…and by the looks of it already, that would be no problem. She was already grinning happily from ear to ear, what more could she do? Not much to be quite honest. “That sounds fair, and…don’t worry, I think I’ve learned my lesson on that one. Don’t leave me worried about you, that’s my condition.” She said almost sounding motherly as she got that…strict parent look on her face with that last comment of hers.

She couldn’t keep the mighty parental look on her face for very long. Zack got up and moved them both over towards the sofa at the side of the room, that sure did bring the smile back to her face. Sitting comfortably, she simply leaned against him, curling her knees and resting her boots on the sofa as she still sat in his lap comfortable as can be. Her smile did fade a bit as she thought of the company she had before turning Cie’th. Shaking her head a little bit, she shifted her gaze to meet Zack’s face. “I had…one of the Turks with me, believe it or not. Nice woman named Cissnei…you…know her right?” She questioned almost tilting her head as she asked the question. She’d thought that Cissnei knew Zack from past work and what not, so there would be no need to explain how absolutely wonderful the chestnut haired Turk was. Though at the time she seemed rather down about something, Tifa never wanted to pry into someone’s personal life, especially of a woman she didn’t know all that well…but she was glad to have the girl as he company in Nibelheim before things turned sour. At least she wasn’t completely alone…to an extent of course.

“I was in Nibelheim, she was there and well…it seemed she knew a thing or two about the L’Cie business as well. I never asked how or why she knew, I figured ShinRa would know everything by now.” Tifa gave a shrug of her shoulders before continuing her small story, explaining what happened since Zack had been gone at the time. “I…I didn’t want to put the town through another Sephiroth incident, so I left the town. You remember that trail I led you guys on to the reactor right? Well…that’s where I went, and that’s also where I woke up.” Shaking her head, she smiled wide once more, wanting to forget about the horrible feelings she had before turning Cie’th, she didn’t remember anything from the time between her transformation and when she woke up, it was all a big blank…so if anything bad did happen…at least she didn’t have to remember it. It was all done and over with, she had no brand, and by the looks of it, neither did Zack. The future really did look bright, no more focuses to worry about…no problem, right?

“And from there…you know the rest.”

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Words:[/color] 923
Muse:[/color] Great!
Tagged:[/color] Zack
Wearing:[/color] >>Click<<
Listening To:[/color] Tifa's Theme
Notes:[/color] --

[Zack Fair]

”Don’t leave me worried about you, that’s my condition.”

With a grin that split his face, Zack found himself chuckling over the motherly look that crossed her face. Something about that…well no wonder Marlene and Denzel were so well behaved. Holding her tight up against him, Zack waggled his eyebrows, giving her a flirty look. “But I like you being worried about me. Makes me know how much ya care. Because let’s face it, ya wouldn’t be worried about someone that isn’t totally amazing, the love of your life, and just about the greatest guy ever.” Okay now he was overdoing it, but the wink he sent her way just added to that. He wasn’t lying about that though. He wasn’t used to someone worrying about him, it felt…nice. Nice to know that there was someone waiting for him, that would worry about him and actually think about him when he was dealing with crap.

Shifting slightly, he kissed her, before drawing back, hand stroking her dark, glossy hair. She was something else. Had the energy to take care of two kids that weren’t hers, run a bar, keep Cloud from going full blown emo, took care of…basically everyone, and did it all with a smile on her face, and energy to spare. He didn’t know how she did it, but he did know that he felt impressed with her all the time. How she didn’t go insane, he’d never know, always giving, and never taking. It was time for him to teach her what the meaning of taking time for yourself meant. One thing he was sure of. If he had to literally drag her away from the bar and the responsibility, then he was going to. She might be able to kick his ass with her bare hands, but he had the determination that she WAS going to get her own time.

Lifting her with ease, Zack carried her to the couch, more to get himself more comfortable then anything. After all, he wouldn’t mind staying in an uncomfortable position if he could hold her, but if he could do the same on the comfort of a soft place, then he would do that. Sitting down, he noticed her shifting to get comfortable again, and a smile lifted onto his lips. He hadn’t ever thought he would get to this point with Tifa of all people. Not because she was undesirable. Hell, any man would want her, but…Cloud. He’d felt guilty, like he was invading Cloud’s territory. But then he’d realized that Cloud wasn’t doing anything about this. How he wasn’t, he had no idea. This was more then him just being physically attracted though. He’d fallen in love with her.

The way she smiled, so different to different people. The soft way she looked at the kids after they’d fallen asleep on the floor. Or the way she picked them up and looked so serene as she carried them off to bed. The way her hair fell over her shoulders, and her laugh when she was happy. The way she looked at him when she was amused at something he’d said, and the playful side he had figured out she had. The way she could throw a punch that would knock any man on his ass without even realizing what had happened to him. The soft heart, locked away deep inside.

“I had…one of the Turks with me, believe it or not. Nice woman named Cissnei…you…know her right?”

Cissnei? Leave it to her. She had a kind heart, despite being a Turk. “Yeah, I know her. Nice woman, one of the best. She’s married to Ginger now, or so I’ve heard. I’m glad it was her.” Stroking her hair still, eyes the color of the sky lifted to watch her as she sat on his lap comfortably, explaining to him. He remained quiet then, waiting for her to explain the rest.

“I…I didn’t want to put the town through another Sephiroth incident, so I left the town. You remember that trail I led you guys on to the reactor right? Well…that’s where I went, and that’s also where I woke up.”

The way she said it, made him feel pain for her. He knew how much it must have hurt her. All that burden, resting on the shoulders of a fifteen year old girl. He couldn’t imagine…the pain. Not saying anything after that, Zack felt his anger blaze at Sephiroth for causing all of the pain. Instead of saying anything really, he shifted slightly and lay down, pulling her with him and up against him. Wrapping strong arm around her, Zack sighed and felt her silky hair brush against his cheek. “I’ll never leave you again. Not like that.” Inhaling her scent, he felt a serious look cross his face. “I don’t know much about this love thing. I’m gonna screw up a lot, just to warn you.” The lopsided smile that lifted onto his lips then was reflecting his sheepish look.

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Words:; 1041
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Tifa <3
Location:; Seventh Heaven
Outfit:; That one!
Notes:; :33
Listening to:; The other Side - Evanescence

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack really was a cocky and confident one wasn’t he? Shaking her head a little bit, Tifa smiled brightly, his words generally seemed to give her that smiley effect. At least he always knew how to make her smile…which didn’t just mean talking, even him being here with her made her smile. So many times she’d been down before when it came to this l’cie thing and now here they were smiling and happy, alive and brandless, what wasn’t there to smile and be happy about? They were alive and had each other now, no more worries, no more threats, Tifa didn’t have to worry about Zack leaving her after a certain amount of time, and he didn’t have to worry about her leaving him as well. She’d be around for a long time, and this time there would be no getting branded by creepy robot things, that always ended badly. “Right, I guess you have a point…but I never like to be worried.” She said with that motherly look still on her face. But hey, at least being worried was better than not caring at all.

Although those three words that had been spoken and repeated in return were so important and so huge, Tifa felt that when she said them, she meant it. She hadn’t been very good at expressing her emotions before, but for some reason, she felt far more comfortable about it lately, unless it was something bad of course, then she’d just mask everything with a bright chipper smile and a few encouraging words. Today was not like that though, nothing could ruin her mood, the sky could be falling and Tifa would still be just as happy as she was right here with Zack. From the kiss to moving to the sofa, Tifa was completely comfortable, shifting herself against Zack to remain as comfortable as she had been after tackling him – again – she just smiled and closed her eyes for a moment, letting it all sink in. Life really was a precious thing, you needed to enjoy it and make sure those around you knew how much they meant to you, starting with the one you loved.

After a brief moment of silence, Tifa began into her story, talking of Cissnei the Turk and nodding when Zack did confirm that he did know her, and his words were true, she really was one of the best. Tifa was never fond of ShinRa, anyone could tell that since she had been a part of AVALANCHE, and Eco-Terrorist, but over the years she’d gotten to like a few people. Rude was a nice Turk, quiet, but nice. Reno was…something else, but helpful in a few ways, and then Cissnei, she was as sweet as pie, she was someone Tifa wouldn’t mind seeing again, and thanking of course. “Mhm, sounds right to me. Good luck to her though, Reno is a handful.” Tifa said with a roll of her eyes as she remembered many times after the geostigma he’d wandered into her bar and there was the occasional time where she knocked him out of the bar on his ass, oh well, some people just couldn’t stick around if they were bothering the bartender. Anyways, back to her story.

After explaining everything, Tifa felt better getting it off of her chest, explaining everything that had happened, where she had gone, and although the location brought back many horrible memories like, finding her father’s corpse slain with Sephiroth’s masamune, or getting knocked down a flight of stairs and left to die, Tifa hadn’t felt all that bad when she went there, at least not for those reasons. Being moved around a bit, Tifa just moved slightly to remain comfortable, her eyes gazing across the bar as her head rested against his shoulder and chest. She wasn’t worried about him leaving her again, she was far too confident for that one, and she didn’t doubt her thoughts on it. A bigger and brighter smile appeared on her face as she then glanced up at his face, seeing that grin on his face associated with his words about messing that ‘love’ thing up. “I know you won’t, and I don’t think you’ll mess anything up, there is no right or wrong.” She smiled encouragingly before moving a hand to tap her jaw line. “I think now that we’ve gotten another chance, we need to…celebrate life a bit more than before. No more moping and a lot more fun and appreciation for life, sound good?” she said giving him her brightest and most cheerful smile.

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Words:[/color] 876
Muse:[/color] Awesome!
Tagged:[/color] Zack <3
Wearing:[/color] ...lazy...
Listening To:[/color] Far Away: Nickelback
Notes:[/color] <3 moar cute?!

[Zack Fair]

g

“Right, I guess you have a point…but I never like to be worried.”

Snuggling up to her, Zack couldn’t help the cocky grin on his face when she agreed that he had a point. Well hell, he couldn’t help but feel good. She’d agreed to quite a bit there. Not only that he was the love of her life, but that he was the greatest guy ever. Of course he’d be beaming just about now, and he was. Zack had thought he’d known what love was before. Well…he hadn’t. It had been more about physical attraction before, finding girls pretty, but he’d just been a kid. Sure, there was the physical side even here. He was a young man, how could he NOT find Tifa Lockhart completely attractive? Guys drooled over the type of girl she was. Sexy, sweet, hell, just about the total package. What had he ever done to get so lucky? Well…luck might not be on his side. After all, he’d died twice in his short lifetime of twenty three years. Of course, he’d been brought back that many times too, so perhaps luck did play a part in this. With a nod of his head, Zack dropped a bit of the cocky, “Alright Tifa, I’ll try my hardest not to worry you.”

Oddly, he actually meant it too. It might not be the easiest for him to stay out of trouble, but hell, he could try. No harm in that now was there. The amount he got hurt was more then the average person, the good thing being that he seemed to bounce back quite easily. Too dumb to be down and out. So pulling her down beside him, Zack rested his arm around her waist, pulling her up next to him, soft dark hair touching his cheek and face. He could feel how silky soft her hair was against his bare skin, and nestled closer to her. It was so…homey here. He felt like this was where he should be. A day of hard work, (Though of course how could he say coming back to life was strenuous labor?) and then coming home to your loving woman, who you could kiss and snuggle up by. A soft sigh escaped his lips. If only Angeal could see him now. He’d probably scoff and say he’d gone soft. Well hell, if this was what ‘being soft’ was like, then he wanted a double dose of it.

“Mhm, sounds right to me. Good luck to her though, Reno is a handful.”

With a soft snort, Zack continued to hold her close, a vision of Reno and Cissnei in his mind. Cissnei…so sweet and quiet, most of the time. Heaven help Reno if he ever angered her though. She could take on just about anyone he knew and come out on top, no one messed with bossy Cissnei. He had to mumble out a quick, “Don’t be so sure it’s Cissnei that needs the luck.” But then he put those two out of his mind. He’d just come back to life and was holding Tifa in his arms, the woman he loved, and who loved him back, he sure as hell didn’t want to think about anyone elses relationships.

“I know you won’t, and I don’t think you’ll mess anything up, there is no right or wrong.”

No right or wrong? Was that like…a trick statement to see how he would respond? He didn’t think so, Tifa wasn’t the type to do things like that, but it seemed almost insane that he had found a girl that actually didn’t need everything to be perfect. Smiling down as she looked up, Zack lost himself in her redish brown eyes and didn’t get back out of it for a few moments before snapping back to attention. “Well…tell me if I do something stupid. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of those moments.” The last thing he wanted was an angry woman. Hell, if there was one thing he learned from his Ma, it was that the only way life could be happy, is if the woman was happy. He agreed wholeheartedly, as had his father, who strived to make sure his mom was happy. He would try to do the same, and one day he’d ask her to be his-…well that would be sometime in the future. He was sure his parents would approve of her.

“…we need to…celebrate life a bit more than before. No more moping and a lot more fun and appreciation for life, sound good?”

If there was one thing he’d caught out of that sentence, it was ‘celebrate life’. Zack was all for that. An impish grin settled on his lips then, before he propped himself up on an elbow and stared down at her. His vision moved from long dark hair, to her eyes, and then down to her lips, before returning to her eyes, that cocky grin still lingering on his lips. Whispering, his eyes twinkled, eyebrows waggling suggestively, “We need to….celebrate life do we? I can’t say I dislike that idea…celebrating life.”

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Words:; 1054
Muse:; Great O.o
Tagged:; Tifa <3
Location:; Seventh Heaven
Outfit:; That one!
Notes:; :33
Listening to:; --

[Tifa Lockhart]

If anyone had more enthusiasm to appreciate life right now than Tifa, she’d be pretty surprised. Smiling and feeling very warm and snuggly next to Zack, she really did like the fact that she didn’t have to worry how much time was left on her brand, it wasn’t even there, and no matter how many times she looked at her hand where it had once been, she just couldn’t believe it. “Thanks.” Tifa simply commented as she liked the idea of not having to worry too much about Zack, but of course he was kind of the type to get himself into trouble, perhaps it was that hero complex? Wanting to help people out and be nice and stuff, there was nothing wrong with that, but when injuries started occurring, then Tifa might start to get a little worried. She’d been that way about most of her friends, whenever they went out on their own, she knew that some people attracted trouble more than others, and she only hoped that things would be okay for them, whether it be Yuffie, Cloud or Zack…she wanted nothing more than for them to be safe.

Talking of Reno and Cissnei, Tifa had to hand it to the chestnut haired girl, she did have her work cut out for her. Still, there was something that told Tifa that both Reno and Cissnei had to put effort forth to deal with the other, that was exactly what a relationship was supposed to be like, and it made her smile, but she didn’t want to think about them all that much, besides, if she wanted to think about someone, she wanted to think about Zack, not the fiery red head, or his wife. Even still, she had to smile at Zack’s words, he really did think he’d do something stupid? Well, lucky for him, Tifa wasn’t a whiny and emotional wreck. She could definitely hold her own and wasn’t clingy. Whenever someone left, she wasn’t at a loss for words, she just went about her day as normal, it was just about everything opposite than what most boys thought of their girlfriends, right? Shaking her head and letting a few laughs escape her lips, she still believed that there was no right or wrong way to do things in a relationship, that was how things were supposed to be. Everyone made mistakes, couples fought all the time, it was the natural way of things. “Fine, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll let you know. But seriously, I doubt you’ll do anything wrong.”

Tifa never thought much about her words, but perhaps after this she should choose her words a bit more carefully. The snuggly moment had changed when Tifa caught sight of that look on Zack’s face. THAT LOOK. That impish grin on his face, she narrowed her eyes a little bit and arched an eyebrow slightly, wondering what it was he was getting at, but then he spoke and she had to fight back the smirky smile that wanted to stretch across her lips. She really did need to choose her words carefully, then again, he was a guy, if she had said anything else he probably could’ve twisted that to sound just as suggestive as ‘celebrate life’. Shaking her head, the look on her face still almost questionable before she waved a hand around, moving her gaze from his face to the wall as she spoke in a regular Tifa tone, but with a hint of sarcasm and playfulness. “Oh of course you don’t. Don’t think I didn’t see that look on your face, Zack. You and your suggestive way of thinking.” Just like any other red blooded male on the face of the planet. Oh well, she was going to have to get used to that, not that she hadn’t heard worse, especially when running a bar…besides, what was the problem with a few harmless comments like that, Tifa, if she wanted to, could be just as guilty.

With a smirk, Tifa moved and scooted to the edge of the sofa, crossing one leg over the other as she turned to gaze at Zack. “And yes, we do need to celebrate life, Mr. Fair, in more ways than just one, of course.” She said before rising to her feet and tapping a finger against her chin, pondering the thought. What would be fun? That was a question she wasn’t going to ask aloud, knowing Zack and that impish smile on his face, she’d get an answer alright, oh men…can’t live with them, can’t life without them. Still, imp or not, Tifa was just happy to see him smile.

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Words:[/color] 893
Muse:[/color] Good, then died xD
Tagged:[/color] Zack
Wearing:[/color] ...too lazy to link
Listening To:[/color] Nothing
Notes:[/color] I don't even know what this is...

[Zack Fair]

Zack just laughed at her comment about him being suggestive. So maybe he was suggestive with that. Hell, he wasn’t the one making the dirty comments to make him think that way. No, she had that going all on her own. How else was a red blooded male supposed to take a beautiful woman, -who also happened to be snuggling him- telling him they needed to celebrate life? What better way was there anyway? He couldn’t think of any. And so with a smirk, he raised his eyebrows. “Well, I’m right aren’t I? Besides, you’re the one making the dirty comments woman, I’m just…responding to them.” With a wink after that, Zack yawned before stretching slightly. It was damned good to be back. He was alive, he was free of a brand, she was alive, she was free of a brand. Hell, how could life get any better then it was now? Not only was she free of a brand, she felt the same way about him as he did about her. That was relieving. Zack had been struggling with his feelings for her a long time now. Feeling as if she was still in love with Cloud, but being in love with her. How Cloud hadn’t seen her…well his loss.

The smile on her face was his goal. He did so love her smile. Then again, she had a lot of different smiles. It almost seemed like there was one for every mood she had. That was a lot of moods. He loved every smile though, and with them both being l’cie, he hadn’t seen it in awhile. And if she had smiled, it had almost been bittersweet and it had never quite reached her eyes. How could he blame her? What they had had to face was something no person should have to face. They had been through a lot though, they deserved a little bit of happiness and less having to worry about being killed or turning into a crystal or monster. Hell, he wasn’t going to reject any relaxation time after what all had happened. Hopefully there wouldn’t be anything else that dragged them away from being happy. He didn’t want anything else happening. He knew he would die again at some point, but hell, he wanted a good long life this time. As long as he possibly could have.

In more ways then one…well then. Zack shook his head as she sat up and scooted away, sitting up himself then and stretching. Bouncing to his feet, Zack jumped in front of her, doing a few squats before standing up and crossing his hands across his chest. Pondering slightly, Zack then cocked his head to the side and looked down at the pretty woman sitting on the sofa. “Well then we’re going to have to figure out what ways we’re going to have to celebrate with.” Waggling his eyebrows again, Zack finally reached a hand up and snapped his fingers, before raising his hand up and raising a finger. “I’ve got an idea. How about a date. A date on Costa.” He wouldn’t mind that at all. Hell, he was really looking forward to it actually. Now that he had thought of the idea, it was just better and better. Swimsuits, sunshine, and freedom. Hell, he liked the thought! A bit too much really, the idea of Tifa in a bikini was making him want to pack up and leave right then and there.

Sticking his hands on his waist then, Zack raised an eyebrow to look at her, a questioning look on his face. “Well? How about it? Wanna go?” The smile that he gave her along with the question was a winner, then again, most of his smiles were winning smiles. He couldn’t wait, now that he had thought of it, to go to the land of sun and sand.

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Words:; 814
Muse:; Good, and then died
Tagged:; Tifa
Location:; Seventh Heaven
Outfit:; That one!
Notes:; --
Listening to:; Ironic Alanis Something or another

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa make dirty comments? Tifa Lockhart? The thought was so laughable, and she did laugh a little bit, raising a hand over her mouth to chide back her laughs as she actually found what he said funny. “I didn’t mean it that way!” But of course what was she to expect from a man? Men were pretty much all on the same page when it came to turning things into suggestive comments. Of course it had been her own fault, saying the things in the first place as Zack had so nicely pointed out. Celebrate life, that one would have to be mentally noticed just in case there ever did come a time where she was being sug- well anyways. Onto the next topic of interest. “Okay fine, I guess I’ll just have to watch what I say from now on hm? That way you don’t twist them into something suggestive…” she’d really have to watch what she said then, but of course right now she was only joking, and with the smile on her face and the playful tone of voice, that was easily able to be seen by just about anyone, even the most oblivious of people…even Zack.

Scooting away and sitting on the edge of the couch, feeling full of energy and happiness at the moment, Tifa watched as Zack had gotten to his feet and…done squats. Just right there, not that it bothered her. She’d heard word of Zack’s sort of squat obsession, but hey, keeping fit was always nice. For Tifa, keeping fit came around whenever she had to smash a few skulls together and kick people out of the bar, that was enough for her…seeing as she didn’t have much time for anything else in her life, making time for what she had now was quite a challenge, but even so, she would make time for Zack and that celebration of life – the clean version – like she had said. There was one good thing that came from being a L’Cie. No, wait, two good things. One, she’d gotten to spend a lot of time with Zack and gotten to understand her feelings about him, and two, she’d gotten to experience firsthand at how short life could be, now you really needed to stop and smell the roses, slow down and actually live life to the fullest. She could do that, and she’d drag Zack along with her, and she doubted he’d object.

Crossing her ankles and folding her hands in her lap, Tifa simply looked up at the SOLDIER once he was done with his momentary work out session. It brought a humorous smile to her face. With an agreeing nod to his words, Tifa was already trying to think of ways to enjoy life. More so than before, she didn’t want a boring routine day in and day out, she wanted at least a bit more excitement in her life, so she was racking her brain already, not having much come to mind just yet. “We’ll think of something.” She added optimistically before she noticed that an idea had to have come to Zack’s mind, she listened quietly and let him speak, voicing his idea of enjoying life and what not. Already it was a task getting Tifa away from the bar, hell, look at the night that he practically dragged her out of there to go see fireworks, would even now be a difficult task to get her out of the bar and away from tending to everyone else’s needs before her own. “Well…” she started off, looking at him with an uncertain look before he had smiled, and seemed really chipper and excited about the idea.

How could she say no? It did sound like a lot of fun. Costa de Sol was supposed to be the ideal vacation spot and after all of the difficult crap those two had just gotten done putting up with, they seemed like they needed a vacation. A chance to work the kinks out of your muscles, to relax and get refreshed before fully returning to the dull world of Edge and a daily routine of boring nothingness. Smiling once more, Tifa rose to her feet and gave a small nod. “I think a date on Costa sounds great!” Optimism was running through her tone once again, no longer was she straining to smile or sound chipper, it just came naturally again. Placing her hands on her hips she looked up at Zack once more, bright smile, excited tone and everything. “So, when do we leave?”

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Words:[/color] 871
Muse:[/color] Great!
Tagged:[/color] Zack :3
Wearing:[/color] That outfit!
Listening To:[/color] Nothing
Notes:[/color] o.o muses be zooming!

[Zack Fair]

The way she said that it wasn’t the way she had meant it, with her eyes full of laughter, Zack couldn’t help but smile back. “Oh you didn’t hm? Well then enlighten me on just how you did mean it."The cheeky grin of his that was always on his face was there again, as it always was. He hadn’t been able to control himself around her for a long while. Ever since that day when she’d been teaching him cooking and he’d pulled her onto his lap. Ever since then, when it had come to his self control – or lack of – Zack had just wanted to drag her into his lap some more. Now it would…well now he could do it whenever the hell he wanted to, which was a great feeling. Before he’d been held back by the knowledge that she was Cloud’s girl. Even though she wasn’t, and she hadn’t thought of him in that way for awhile, Zack had just assumed that it was the case. It was hard having feelings for someone and thinking that they were in love with someone else. Especially when that someone else just happened to be a really good friend of yours. Yup…tough. Well Zack knew Aerith felt more for Cloud then she had for him ever, and honestly, what he had felt for her had been a childish affection. What he felt now was much deeper, if he said so. Winking at her, Zack shook his head. “Nah, you can go on with the dirty comments, I don’t mind.”

Smirking at her, Zack drew away slightly, before shaking his head. “And don’t you go pretending to be all innocent…with your eating chocolate in such a way to make any man want you.” He could still remember that moment as plain as day. Hell, Zack had wanted to get that chocolate, or learn how to successfully complete CPR. Any way you wanted to look at it. Zack didn’t mind either of those options to be honest. It felt so free now. He’d thought for a long time that things wouldn’t work out, especially because of the weird relations that…well it had just been odd, and he hadn’t been sure what was what. Now he was clear, and didn’t have to be jealous of Cloud. He hadn’t ever really been jealous of the blonde until he had started to develop feelings toward the woman that was close to him now. Well now he had nothing to be jealous of. Hell, things would work out, they always did.

At first Zack just stood and waited for her to deny going. He figured, like last time, she would put up a huge fuss and carry on and on about how she had to stay with the bar until he forced her to go. He might just mention the last time if she did object. After all, Zack not only could throw her over his shoulder, but he would, and had. “Don’t make me mention the last time you said no.” He could understand her hesitation, but Edge would be alright without her for a few days. Cloud could watch the kids –and if not him, then that swearing gangster known as Barret could do so. Either way, they would survive. Perhaps not as wonderfully as they did now, in her care, but it couldn’t kill them. Next time they went, they could take the kids. Almost like a little family. Why was it that he had already started to think of them as his family? Marlene with those big deer like eyes that could trap you and make you want to do whatever she asked. Denzel with his quiet maturity, and Tifa…well he didn’t even get started there.

When she actually agreed without a fuss he was floored. Blinking, Zack stared at her for a second before a smile tilted his lips. “How fast can ya pack?” The teasing glint was back again as he made his way over toward her. Cocking his head to the side and wrapping his arms around her waist, he glanced at her, head filled with the mental image of her in a bikini. If any man could drool over a woman, he’d be doing it right now. “But no seriously, how fast can you pack and get old chocobo head to watch a few kids for us?” Zack might have to buy a few things, but he figured he’d have it covered. A swimsuit and the like. And besides that, he didn’t need any clothes. Well, some might say he did, but he didn’t think so. “I’m all ready, don’t need any clothes.” With a wink toward her, Zack leaned down and kissed her again, liking that he could just…up and kiss her whenever he damn well wanted to. Maybe it was a guy thing.

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Words:; 1002
Muse:; Great
Tagged:; Tifa <3
Location:; Seventh Heaven
Outfit:; That one!
Notes:; They're so cute xD
Listening to:; Save me - Shinedown

[Tifa Lockhart]

No matter what the circumstances could be, Tifa always had a smile on her face when she was around Zack. Even if he didn’t say anything – which was rare – she was still happy and smiling at least most of the time. It made her happy, and hopefully he was just as happy as she was. With a small laugh, Tifa shook her head and ran a hand through her hair, moving her bangs from her eyes. “I meant…you know what, why ruin your happiness. I’ll just leave it at that.” She beamed happily from where she sat on the sofa. “I guess I won’t be as cautious over what I say, then.” Although it would be wise to watch a few things she said, depending on where she was and who was around. Otherwise making suggestive references like that…well…she was an adult! She’d heard far worse things during her days bartending, and of course she’d done well with handling it, so long as the kids weren’t around and what not. Tifa Lockhart, she could handle Zack Fair and whatever he decided to throw her way. His cheeky attitude, or twisting her innocent comments into dirty ones, she could handle herself just fine.

“Hm? What’s so bad about eating chocolate?” Tifa said as she sat back against the back of the sofa, folding her hands in her lap and fluttering her eyes just slightly, to give her that oh so innocent look. At the time, she was just eating cookies, making sure they didn’t turn out horrible, but despite the situation, she just…couldn’t help but laugh and smile on the memory. Covered in food, Zack making her blush with every chance he had…it was something she wouldn’t forget for a long time, a very enjoyable day indeed. That’s when those feelings of Tifa’s started to strike, maybe even a TINY bit before that with the fireworks. That had also been a nice evening, getting out the bar and sort of relaxing for awhile, sitting in the park, watching fireworks, it really was the simple things in life that made her happy…and they seemed to make Zack happy too. That right there was her idea of celebrating life. Getting out and doing the fun things she wasn’t used to doing, like…leaving the bar and going to see fireworks, or doing something else, maybe visiting the Golden Saucer, time in the park, whatever the day seemed to bring, she wanted to enjoy it.

So, when Zack mentioned Costa de Sol, Tifa had to think about it for a moment. She pondered it, wondering if leaving right away was a wise choice. Sure she wanted to ‘celebrate life’ and get out more, but she had just gotten back to Edge. Oh look at her, being a hypocrite. Putting a hand under her chin as she rested back against the back of the sofa once more, she decided it was time to put the worries of a business and other things aside, she needed a chance to breathe, to relax and get away from the stress of everyday life, and Costa de Sol was exactly the right place to be. Lovely beaches, and the company would be nice too. Smiling and being reminded of the last time Zack asked her to go somewhere, she shook her head and waved a hand slightly, not forgetting her failed attempt at an escape. “I remember.” She commented before deciding that they’d go to Costa. Rising to her feet and confirming that they should go, Tifa had asked when they’d leave. She didn’t think it’d take long to get things arranged, like someone to watch the kids, someone had been watching them while Tifa was gone anyways, what was the difference? Everything here would be just fine.

It was a miracle in the city of Edge. Tifa not putting up a fight about going somewhere outside Seventh Heaven, it was amazing, but she liked the idea of being able to get away. She hadn’t really before, so it was long overdue. Smirking a tiny laugh, Tifa folded her hands together once more. “I’m sure it wouldn’t take me that long to pack.” With Zack’s arms around her waist, Tifa felt not only very comfortable, but safe, from what? Well, anything. She liked the feeling and knew that there was always someone she could depend on, though she thought of her friends the same way, just…there was something a little different about the way she thought of herself around Zack. “I’ll talk to Cloud and get packed. You go get packed as well. I don’t think they’d like it if you waltzed around the beach without even a swimsuit on.” But was she going to complain? Not likely. In the meantime, Tifa could also call a hotel or two around Costa and book a room for a few days, get transportation issues set up and then they’d really be ready to go. Talk about a spur of the moment vacation, sometimes the unexpected things were the best kinds of moments. “You do that, I’ll take care of the rest.” Wrapping her own arms around Zack, but around his neck instead, she rose up on her toes a bit to reach him better. A small and simple kiss, but it was nice. Kind of different, being able to just go with it instead of stand back and wonder if you were blushing and acting like a fool. When you were together, no one cared.

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Words:[/color] 1047
Muse:[/color] Great!
Tagged:[/color] Zack <3
Wearing:[/color] That one thing I already linked...
Listening To:[/color] Tifa's Theme: FFVII OST
Notes:[/color] Time skip next?

[Zack Fair]

Zack felt as if this was just a new side of Tifa that had emerged. No, not exactly new, but it was definitely more then it had been before. How could he blame her though? She had been a bit more serious before, but he had been as well. They’d both been burdened by being l’cie and the upcoming doom that awaited them. How could he fault her for being a bit serious when the strain had even gotten to him? Zack Fair, who rolled with the punches and dealt with things as they came. He’d been ready to scream and throw something and curse plenty of times while being a l’cie. How she had kept her sanity as well as she had was a marvel. Looking back, perhaps he shouldn’t have made it so hard on her. He shouldn’t have joked quite so much, or dumped egg yolk down her shirt, or created more problems for her to have to clean up. It had been a way to keep himself sane, trying not to think about it. And what better way to distract himself then with the beautiful Tifa Lockhart? He hadn’t meant to fall in love with her. Zack was a man who appreciated a beautiful woman, and because he had been sure she was in love with Cloud, it had been easy, and safe.

Turns out it was harder then hell to remain unattached from her.

Impossible might be a better word. She was so…so real. Everything about her was real, and attractive. She was sweet, a little sassy, could handle herself just as well as he could when it came to fighting, as tough as any man he had met, sexy, and he didn’t have to worry about her. He didn’t have to worry that lurking around every corner was something that would harm her or kill her. That was…a potent combo of traits. He’d found himself getting sucked in more and more. At first he’d held back, thinking that she was in love with Cloud, and Cloud her. What kind of a bro would he be if he came back and stole Cloud’s girl? Then again, hadn’t Cloud gotten a foot up when it came to that? If he remembered right, Cloud had gotten his old girlfriend first, so he didn’t have to feel guilty about it. Besides, Tifa had made her choice. Zack hadn’t forced her to fall for him. He couldn’t be happier though, Tifa was as close to perfect as they could come in his eyes.

“There’s nothin’ wrong with chocolate. Miss eat it as provocatively as possible Lockhart. Next time you’d better watch yourself.” His voice had dropped an octave, eyes smoldering. With as appealing of a girl as he had, Zack was sure he’d be the envy of basically every male out there. It wasn’t that he had an ego or anything, but he could feel his chest swell at the thought. Whatever the hell he had done to deserve this, he didn’t regret it at all.

Striding forward on a whim and wrapping his arms around her, Zack watched her when she started mentioning how fast she could get packed. He was busy at that moment noticing how well she fit up against him. All soft and-…oh wait, what had they been talking about? Oh yeah, packing. Fast packing. Zack himself didn’t need much. Though he teased about packing nothing, he would need a few things and knew it. Especially if they’d be staying more then a few days. Inhaling her scent, feeling her up next to him, he found himself nodding, one hand absent mindedly stroking her hair, running his fingers through it. “As soon as ya want to or can.” Her chiding him about what he was to wear made him smile. Winking seductively at her, Zack just leaned down to kiss her, drawing back then and whispering in her ear, “Admit it, ya like the mental image.” She would take care of asking Cloud? Here he went again, making her do everything, and turned a bit more serious. “Ya sure?” Hesitating, he drew away, “Alright, you’ve got that and I’ll go get packed and get us some tickets. Deal? Meet me at the airport in three hours. Sound good?” Lightly swatting her backside, Zack turned and jogged out before she could make an issue out of it. “See ya later Babe.”

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Standing on the deck of the ship, he felt the seaspray against his skin. He'd peeled off his shirt on their way, because it was so blasted hot and it had just been getting wet with the spray of the sea. It wouldn't have been a problem, but Zack loved the deck, and so here he was, leaning over the railing, eyes peeled on the looming Costa. Other then once, Zack had only come here on missions for ShinRa, and even that once had turned into that. It would be nice to come with Tifa, and relax. No missions or anything like that. Oh yes...in a few minutes they would dock, and then they could go have some fun. He was ready for that.

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Words:; 1041
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Tifa
Location:; Seventh Heaven
Outfit:; That one
Notes:; <3
Listening to:; Cry Little Sister - Seasons After